There was a sharp rap on the door. Mrs. Biedermann yelled, “Come in,” and a pale, doughy man stepped inside.

“My new partner, Detective Clarkson,” Mrs. Biedermann said, gesturing at the man.

Tess stared. They all did. Because the pale, doughy man was one of the officers who had discovered the three of them climbing down from an abandoned Underway track last month, a man who knew who Tess and Theo’s mother was but agreed not to tell her so they wouldn’t get in trouble (and so he wouldn’t have to do extra paperwork).

If he remembered them now, and Theo was sure he did, he didn’t show it. Clarkson simply nodded, his face as grave as Mrs. Biedermann’s.

“They’re here, Detective,” he said.

“Who’s here?” said Tess,

“Listen, sweetheart,” said Mrs. Biedermann. “I believe you. I do. But the woman in the video filed charges.”

“Nine didn’t do anything, Mom,” Theo said.

Jaime agreed. “She didn’t, Mrs. Biedermann. Really.”

“Be that as it may, I have to take Nine.” When Tess’s jaw dropped open in shock, she said, “Just for a little while, just until we get this straightened out.”

“No!” Tess said, grabbing Nine around the neck, hugging her. “No! It’s not fair. That woman was lying!”

“What were you doing in Brooklyn?” their mother asked.

“What does that matter?” Theo said, his tone sharper than he’d intended. His mother just stared at him, and so did Clarkson. “We were at a museum. That woman bumped into Tess. We didn’t do anything. Nine didn’t do anything. She faked that bite. I don’t know why, but she did.”

At this, Clarkson’s face softened. “I talked to that woman and her story was full of applesauce.” His eyes cut to Theo’s mom and he added, “In my opinion.”

“I know. But because you’re my kids, and because I got you that license for Nine, I can’t show any favoritism. I have to go by the book.”

Aunt Esther, who had been quiet during this whole exchange, said, “Whose book, Miriam?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I’m not sure I do,” said Aunt Esther. “You know that Nine wouldn’t hurt a fly. And the children told you what they were doing. That woman must have some sort of agenda. Perhaps she’s trying to get to you.”

“Why would this woman want to get to me?”

“I don’t know, Miriam. You should ask her about that.”

“I will,” Theo’s mom said. “And the sooner I figure it out, the sooner we’ll get Nine back. But right now, the city pound is going to have to take her. They’re here right now.”

At this, Tess started to cry. Next to Theo, Jaime squeezed the couch cushions so hard his knuckles went white. Theo’s whole body itched, as if his skin were coming loose.